New Zealand Rugby Union chief executive Steve Tew has remained tightlipped over his Australian counterpart's reveal of an expanded and restructured Super Rugby competition.

Speaking after the 122nd AGM in Wellington, Tew would not comment on anything to do with changes to the competition. But ARU boss Bill Pulver has been more forthcoming and revealed yesterday Super Rugby was poised to move forward with the four-conference model in 2016. Two of the conferences would be based in South Africa.

Pulver revealed the four conference model would be presented to broadcasters in a fortnight.

He was backing the Super 18 model for 2016 where Australian and New Zealand conferences would remain the same.

Australia's five teams would play two less "local derby" matches in a 15-game regular season but would strengthen their Anzac ties by increasing their four matches against Kiwi rivals to five.

Significant changes will be made in South Africa with their six teams, including the recalled Southern Kings, put in two pools with a new Argentine team and a final side, which the ARU hopes will be based in the Asian market.

Those two four-team conferences - including an overseas expansion team in each - will only face one of the two Australasian conferences each year, which reduces fears of an increase in travel.

"It's likely to be a four-conference model and this will be finalised in the next couple of weeks to be announced," Pulver said.

While the ARU chief executive is supporting Sanzar's in-principle expansion plans, they're unlikely to be applauded by his provincial counterparts.

Pulver has been under pressure from the franchises and the players' association to pull Australia out of South Africa-driven plans to increase Super Rugby from 15 teams to 17 or 18.

Political pressure for more black participation saw SARU demand the Port Elizabeth-based Kings, who were relegated last season, be reinstated for good.

With South Africa providing almost half of the broadcast revenue, governing body SANZAR has listened to their powerful voice, and New Zealand are opposed to breaking the partnership.

Plans for less local derbies in Australia - dropping from eight to six, and meaning one less home game every second year - has upset state officials who believe it will see them go bust.